BASEBALL: YANKEES NOTEBOOK

By TYLER KEPNER

Published: November 5, 2003

The Yankees and Andy Pettitte will not agree on a new contract before Pettitte gauges his value on the free-agent market, General Manager Brian Cashman said yesterday. The Yankees are the only team that can negotiate with Pettitte until Monday, but they have not made an offer even though Pettitte has not formally filed for free agency.

''He's come this far,'' Cashman said. ''He's going to go out and find out what his market is first. He's going to elect free agency.''

Cashman, who until yesterday had been forbidden to speak to the news media by George Steinbrenner, the principal owner, said he was not concerned by the presence of the Houston Astros in negotiations. The Astros cleared $8 million in salary when they shipped reliever Billy Wagner to Philadelphia on Monday, and though they still want to shed outfielder Richard Hidalgo ($12 million), they could pursue Pettitte, who lives outside Houston.

''You expect to have a competition on your hands when a player of Andy's ability is available,'' Cashman said. ''All you can do is what you feel is best. We'd love to keep Andy. We'll have our discussions, put our best foot forward and hope for the best. He's put himself in a great situation.''

After the Yankees lost Game 6 of the World Series to Florida on Oct. 25, Manager Joe Torre told Pettitte to do what is best for his family. Pettitte responded by saying he would call Torre, but they have not spoken yet.

The Yankees have discussed the idea of bringing back David Wells, even though they declined his $6 million option yesterday.

''I think there is definite interest in retaining him,'' Gregg Clifton, the agent for Wells, said. ''It's just a function of whether or not the interest they have is equal to David's mind-set.''

Wells, who took a $1 million buyout, has been relaxing at his home in the Michigan woods since the World Series. He left Game 5 after one inning with severe back spasms, and when he returns home to Clearwater, Fla., later this week, Wells will see a doctor to determine whether he needs surgery.

Wells, 40, has said he wants to play another year, but his first decision could be whether to have an operation. ''He's going to have a lot of decisions to make in the next week to 10 days,'' Clifton said. ''If surgery is necessary, he would have to move forward in the next couple of weeks to be ready for the season.''

Three other teams have called about Wells, Clifton said, and though the Padres are not one of them, San Diego is opening a new park and is expected to show interest. Wells also has a home in San Diego and grew up there. ''That is a city that could get his attention,'' Clifton said.

Jeter May Need Surgery

Derek Jeter could have surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his left thumb, but the Yankees want to give the thumb a week and a half more to heal. Jeter will not have surgery on his left shoulder this off-season.

''The shoulder's not a problem,'' Jeter said yesterday.

Planning for 2004

Felix Heredia declined his $1.7 million player option for next season, but Brian Cashman said the Yankees want to retain him and another left-handed reliever, Gabe White, whose option the team declined last week.

''It took us a while to find some left-handers that can do the job,'' Cashman said. ''Those two guys, we're comfortable with.''

A third left-hander, Chris Hammond, is under contract for next season but was rarely used in the second half.

Asked yesterday if third baseman Aaron Boone would be offered a 2004 contract, Cashman said that he would. The Yankees traded their best pitching prospect, Brandon Claussen, to Cincinnati last July 31 to obtain Boone, who hit .236 for them in the regular season and postseason. Boone is eligible for salary arbitration.

The Yankees have received trade offers for starter Jeff Weaver, but, Cashman said, ''I don't think I'd get value for him.'' Cashman did not state the obvious: that no team is likely to assume the $15.5 million the Yankees owe Weaver through 2005. Cashman said he would most likely be the fifth starter again next season.

If Bernie Williams or Alfonso Soriano changes position next season, the players will be consulted before the Yankees make the decision, Cashman said. Williams and Joe Torre have discussed the idea of shifting Williams to left field from center field, and Cashman said the Yankees would consider that possibility and the idea of moving Soriano from second base to the outfield.